Phuket Bike Week

And now for something completely different. I decided to check out some of the annual Phuket Bike Week which takes place around Songkran every year - this year is the 15th time the event has been held. From the 10th - 12th April 2009 Phuket was full of big bikes ranging from Harleys to big racing bikes and plenty of amazing custom built choppers. There are bikes on show at the JungCeylon mall at Patong Beach, there are events/live music/foodstalls by the beach in Patong (at "Loma Park" towards the north end of the beach) and bike rides around the island. If you are here, you will almost certainly have noticed something going on!

Phuket Bike Week 2011 is 8 - 10 April - There's more information on the Phuket Bike Week website, including a schedule of events, or (since the official website is mostly in Thai and partly under construction) try this page.

Now, I'm not a biker myself. I currently own a 125cc Honda Wave... hardly a "Hog", but still a step up from my old 110cc version! I can see the attraction, but prefer driving a car. But even if you don't wear leather, you will have to admit some of the bikes on show are quite amazing, more works of art than a mode of transport. On Friday, I checked out some of the bikes at Jungceylon...







Laziness set in on Friday night - the beach party included a concert by Carabao, a very popular Thai rock band, but my wife and I were too tired... On Saturday afternoon I headed down to Patong Beach with my daughter to see what was going on. There was meant to be a "ride for peace" in the afternoon, with hundreds of bikes riding from Patong to Phromthep Cape via Karon and Kata beaches. I hoped to see the start of the ride and hear the roar of throaty engines!

But first we met Jack Sparrow...



Along the road were many food and drink stalls selling burgers, phad thai, chestnuts, fried chicken, fresh juices and beers, plus lots of stalls selling leather bikers clothes, tshirts, Bike Week souvenirs and more. Oh, and bikes too!



And along with the bikes, the bikers! They come from all over Thailand, and also from Singapore, Malaysia and indeed all over the world. If you want big bikes and fun in the sun, Phuket Bike Week is the place to be! I do like the bikers gear - leather jackets with club membership patches. It all looks very tribal, but I reckon these burly bikers are all jolly nice folk!

 

The bikes are a mix of custom jobs, big Harleys, sporty models, some 3 wheelers which are nearly as big as my car, all kind of bikes!





A little late, the riders set off from Patong on the afternoon ride. I wish they could have slowed down a bit! You need to be a sports photo pro to snap pictures of these guys (and gals). It took 10 minutes for the convoy to pass. Tonight (Sunday) there is more live music at the beach and also the Miss Phuket Bike Week contest at JungCeylon where you find lots of men telling their wives "I'm looking at the bikes, honest"!



It's almost enough to make me want to buy a chopper.. and a leather jacket.







(above) Bikes starting the ride on Saturday from Patong down to Cape Phromthep

Phuket Bike Week is well established in the calendar now. If you like bikes or want to find some live music on the beach, the Bike Week (well, actually only 3 days...) has a lot to offer.. Right, let's get ready for Songkran!

Phuket Bike Week 2010, 8 - 11 April - details in Phuket Gazette.